Swim-training apparatus.



PATEN'IIII) JUNE 27, 1905.

F. FABER.

SWIM TRAINING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED OCT. l2, 1904.

77 'umu i Patented June 27, 1905.

ATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK FABER., OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY.

SWIM-TRAINING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 793,288, dated June 27', 1905.

Application filed October 12,1904. Serial No. 228,245.

To all wit/)711, it may concern:

Beit known that I, FREDERICK FABER, a. citi- Zen of the United States, residing in Newport, Campbell county, State of Kentucky, have invented a certain new and useful Swim-Training Apparatus; and I do declare the following to be a clear, full, and exactdescription thereof, attention being called to the accompanying drawings, with the reference characters marked thereon, which form also apart of this specification.

rIhe invention consists in the main of a track and means for suspending' a person thereon in a position corresponding to the one assumed in swimming', the manner of suspension being' such as to permit the performance of the motions g'one through with for swimming.

In addition the invention consists also of certain details of construction used in connection with the apparatus.

In the following specification, and particularly pointed out in the claims, is found a full description of theinvention, together with its manner of use, parts, and construction, which latter is also illustrated in the accompanying' drawings, in which- Figure l shows a top view of the apparatus, it being the track and the means for suspending the swimmer. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with parts broken away. Fig. 3 is an end view. Fig. 4, in an enlarged det-ail view, shows the track in section and the suspending means in position. Fig'. 5 is a side view of the preceding ligure. Fig'. 6, in a vertical cross-section` and Fig. T, in a rear view thereof, show manner of connecting the track detachably to its support.

10 indicates the track, consisting of a suitable rail supported edgewise. It might be simply a straight track-that is, one arranged on a straight line-but I prefer to arrange it so as to be continuous, either circular, elliptical, or partly straight and curved, as shown. lhis rail, in sections of suitable length, is supported on arms 1l, projecting from standards 12, provided each with a base 13 of suitable size. As shown, the track is only of limited size, but may of course be increased af? lib/'fum to suit requirements-that is, simultaneous use by a number of persons-and in which case the number of supports is accordingly increased.

The swimmer is supported by resting' in a swing, consisting' of one or more straps, which straps are suspended on a roller-carrier, the rollers thereof being' flanged and fitted to the track. I prefer to use two straps, one, 14, to pass around under the breast and one, 15, to pass under the abdominal regions. Each strap is attached to a roller-carrier 16, mounting one or more rollers 1T. Itwill at once be noted that this manner of arrangement and suspension permits a person to readily go through the motions resorted to in swimming'. An additional strap 25 may be used to prevent slipping'.

The device may also be used in connection with water-in a suitable basin, for instance-- but, as stated before, this is not the primary object.

Progressive motion is of course not essential, since the object is merely to be able to show, teach, and practice swimming' motions. Such progress, however, takes place, nevertheless, even when used without water, itbeing' d ue to the spasmod ic motions of hands and feet against the resisting' air.

In the case of the rear roller-carrier I prefer to interpose a turnbuekle 18, so that the position ofthe suspended person may be propei'ly adjusted--that is, inclined.

The connection of the track to its supports is also arranged to permit a convenient taking' down and ready erection. For such purpose the inner ends of arms 11 are connected to the upper ends of standards 12 by means of bolts 19. The outer ends of these arms AV bolt 21 rests portions, the iinal connection being by means of a wedge 23, driven in between flanges 20 and head 22 of the bolt, which head may also be a nut. A spacing-block 24 is interposed between rail and iianges to prevent interference of the endsof arms 11 with the travel of rollers 17 of the carriers. These spacingblocks are held in position by bolts 21, which pass through them, or both may form one piece. For quick dismantling it is only necessary to release the wedges, after which the track-sections may be lifted olf from the arms. The bolts, with the spacing-blocks, remain in place on the track-sections. To further assist quick dismantling or erection, the inner ends of arms 11 instead of being directly attached to the standards may be attached toa.

removable collar 27, which,together with the arms, may be simply slipped on or off from.

the standards.

Having described my invention, I claim as new- 1. In an apparatus for teaching and practicing swimming motions and exercises, the combination of a track supported at proper elevation, roller carrier means fitted thereto and means for suspending a person on these carrier means.

2. ,In anV apparatusfor teaching and practicing swimming motions and exercises, the combination of an endless track, supportingarms projecting inwardly therefrom, upright standards onwhich these arms are supported, carriers provided with iianged rollers fitted to the track and means for suspending a person on` these carriers.

3. In an apparatus for teaching and practicing swimming motions and exercises, the combination ofupright standards, supportingarms projecting therefrom, flanges on their ends, a track-rail, bolts whereby the same is attached to the anges of these arms, heads to hold these bolts'inposition, spacingrblocks between the rail and the flanges on. these arms, wedges between them and the' heads of the bolts, roller `carrier means tted to the trackrail and means for suspending a person thereon.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK FABER.

Witnesses:

C. SPENGEL, SAM DocHTERuAN. 

